USC baseball transfer Erik Parker’s arrival in Columbia is a full-circle moment

When South Carolina transfer Erik Parker signed with the Gamecocks this offseason, it wasn’t the first time he made a pledge to USC.

Parker, the No. 6 shortstop and No. 11 overall high school player in the state of Georgia in 2024, was once committed to USC and former head coach Mark Kingston. When Kingston was fired after the 2024 season, Parker ended up playing his freshman year of college ball for the Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Wes Johnson. Now, Parker is living a full-circle moment as one of USC’s 27 newcomers in 2026.

“I know what it’s like here. I have family here,” Parker said. “I know it’s home.”

Despite a solid high school career at North Gwinnett (Georgia) that led to an all-region selection and an MLB draft selection in the 15th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Parker never broke through as a freshman Bulldog. He appeared in 16 games and registered just four at-bats in 2025.

Parker hit the portal this past summer in search of more opportunity. He said USC wasn’t on his mind right away, but a longtime relationship with Gamecocks hitting coach Monte Lee helped re-establish the connection between Parker and the Gamecocks.

“I knew Monte since I was like 14, so it’s just a good thing to be around these coaches and staffs, and I believe in them,” Parker said. “I didn’t know where I wanted to be at or end up. So it was just a good thing that I had Monte and Mainieri reach out to me.”

Parker joins a USC team looking to bounce back from a 28-29 (6-24 SEC) season in 2025, and is competing for increased playing time among a crowded middle infield. The Gamecocks retained KJ Scobey, who will move to Parker’s natural position at shortstop this season, and Purdue transfer Logan Sutter looks to be the favorite at second base. Dawson Harmon, Will Craddock and Beau Hollins are all also vying for remaining space in the infield.

Despite the crowded group, USC coach Paul Mainieri has praised Parker multiple times this preseason and said he wants to find ways to get him in the game. In the fall, Parker went 4 for 5 at the plate with six RBIs and a home run in a scrimmage against Charlotte.

“His first year in college last year he didn’t get much of an opportunity to play, but we always felt that he had a lot of talent,” Mainieri said after the scrimmage. “He’s played well all fall. … I think he’s got a bright future. He’s a good athlete. He swung the bat great today.”

Mainieri said Parker was still in the infield competition during USC’s media day Jan. 22.

Parker, in pursuit of more opportunity, said he just wants his fair chance.

“That’s why I came here, for a fair opportunity,” he said. “I feel like I had a really good fall, and I just need to carry that onto the spring these next two, three weeks before the first game. My confidence is there.”